Method for providing a print and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method provides a print of an image registered by a registrant in relation to a product of digital contents to be sold by the registrant and purchased by a purchaser. The method includes a first step of selling the product of digital contents to a purchaser, and a second step of outputting information relating to the image in relation to the product of digital contents sold to the purchaser through a computer communication for the purpose of producing the print of the image for enabling the purchaser of the product of digital contents to use the print of the image.

This is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/802,846filed Mar. 12, 2001. The disclosure of the prior application is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for providing a print of animage and an apparatus thereof, and, in particular, to a method forproviding a print of an image from a remote place and an apparatusthereof.

2. Description of Related Art

With increasing popularity of digital cameras, a digital print of aphotographed image has become popular. In a form of the image printingbusiness, there are those that can be realized only because the imageinformation is the digital image data.

For example, the following image printing business has been carried on:a digital print provider, a provider of the Internet, or the like makesusers register digital images together with a password set arbitrarilyby the user, keeps them in a server computer as well as opens to viewerswho access to the server computer by inputting the password via acommunication means such as the Internet, and receives an order forforming a digital print from the viewer.

Regarding the image printing business, there is a merit that the viewercan select desired images from the registered images, and order fordigital prints. It is convenient for these cases that a plurality ofprints for a group photo are to be distributed to each attendant, andthat somebody wants a latest photo to be sent to an acquaintance livingin a remote place.

By the way, it is often happen that the cost for distributing the printof a group photo of a plurality of people is paid as an item of theparty expenditure. Regarding specially invited attendant such as, forexample, attendants to a wedding party, a teacher of an alumni meeting,it is common that the host of a party pays the cost of the print. When alatest photo is sent to an acquaintance or a relative living in a remoteplace, it is inappropriate to let them pay the print cost. In the caseof conventional silver halide photograph, since a print presenter suchas the host of the meeting pays the cost of the print, and delivers theprint to the presentee, it has been no problem described above. However,it has been difficult to let the presentee choose desired images.

Regarding the digital data such as music, game soft, and digital AV, notthe media on which the digital data is recorded, but the digitalcontents that is only contents of the data has started to be sold.Specifically, a contents purchaser sets a recording medium prepared bythe contents purchaser in a contents selling apparatus arranged in frontof a store, selects a contents to be purchased by a predeterminedoperation, and copies the data of the selected contents on the medium.Alternatively, the contents purchaser accesses to a contents sales siteof a contents seller from the contents purchaser's PC via the Internet,downloads the data of the contents to be purchased by carrying out thepredetermined operation indicated by the site, and copies onto arecording medium set in the PC. The operation to pay the purchasing costis included in the predetermined operation. Thus, the contents purchasercan obtain the recording medium on which the digital contents arerecorded. In this method however, there are no label or jacket forindicating the contents unlike the case that the contents sellerpurchases the recording medium on which the data of the contents isrecorded. This is inappropriate when the contents purchaser arranges andkeeps the recording medium on which the contents is recorded. Althoughthe contents purchaser can make the title and jacket by own handwritingor by the PC, it is often difficult to produce those that suit thecontents. Accordingly, the contents purchaser has been hardly satisfiedwith those handmade label or jacket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in view of the aforementioned problems andhas an object to provide a method for providing a print and the methodthat a viewer designates an image to be formed a print, and the printcharge is billed to a digital image registrant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method forproviding a print. The method makes it possible for a digital contentspurchaser to easily obtain a label or jacket suitable to the digitalcontents.

Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for each method described above.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for receivingan order for a print includes steps described below. A first step is astep that receives a digital image from the registrant. A second step isa step that registers the received digital image. A third step is a stepthat shows the registered digital image to a viewer. A fourth step is astep that accepts the order for the print of the digital image from theviewer. A fifth step is a step that produces the ordered print of thedigital image. A sixth step is a step that bills the print charge to theregistrant.

Accordingly, the print order of an image selected by the viewer fromdigital images registered by the registrant is received and the printcharge is billed to the registrant, so that the viewer can obtain aprint of any image without paying the print charge.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes a step of receiving a digital image with a discriminationdenoting that the print charge of the digital image is to be paid by theregistrant, a step of registering the digital image with thediscrimination together with the discrimination, and a step of billingthe print charge of the print of the digital image with thediscrimination to the registrant.

Moreover, the method further includes a step of permitting only a viewerwith a predetermined identification to view the image with thediscrimination, and a step of allowing only a viewer with apredetermined identification to order the print of the digital imagewith the discrimination.

Therefore, the method makes it possible that the images whose printcharge is paid by the registrant and those paid by the viewer areintermixed.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first step iscarried out through a computer communication with the registrant, andthe third and the fourth step are carried out through a computercommunication with viewer.

Accordingly, the method makes it possible to register a digital image,view the digital image, and place a print order of the image from aremote place.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes a step for setting an limit to the order from the viewer, sothat the method eliminates the risk of producing an unexpected printcharge to the registrant.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes a step of making it possible to accept the print order whoseprint charge is paid by the viewer, a step of adding the number ofprints of the digital image on the viewer's account to that of the samedigital print on the register's account, and the sum of the number ofthe prints are produced at a time.

Accordingly, the method forms the print in bulk based on the amount ofthe summation of the number of the order whose print charge is paid bythe registrant and that paid by the viewer, so that the print can beformed effectively.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method furthercomprises a step of accepting an order for purchasing a product ofdigital contents relating to the digital image and a step of selling theproduct by copying the digital contents on a recording medium of theviewer.

Accordingly, the method makes it possible to provide a print of theimage relating to the digital contents purchased by a viewer to theviewer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method forproviding a print of a digital image registered by a registrant inresponse to orders from a plurality of viewers includes the stepsdescribed below. A first step is a step that receives a digital imagefrom the registrant. A second step is a step that registers the receiveddigital image. A third step is a step that shows the registered digitalimage to the viewers. A fourth step is a step that accepts the ordersfor the print of the digital image from the viewers. A fifth step is astep that sums up the orders accepted within the period. A sixth step isa step that produces the prints based on the fifth step.

Accordingly, the method makes it possible to produce the print acceptedorder within the period in bulk, so that the print can be formedeffectively.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fourth to thesixth step are repeated with a short period, so that the print can bedelivered to the viewer within a short time from accepting the printorder even if the time period of accepting a print order extends over along time period.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes a step of billing the print charge based on the summed upnumber of the accepted order to the registrant.

Accordingly, the viewer can obtain a digital print without paying theprint charge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method forproviding a purchaser of the product of digital contents with a print ofan image registered by a registrant relating to the product of digitalcontents includes steps described below. A first step is a step ofhaving a registrant sell the product of digital contents to thepurchaser. A second step is a step of having a printer receiveinformation relating to the registered image from the registrant. Athird step is a step of having the printer produce the print of theimage for the purchaser based on the information. A fourth step is astep of having the printer bill the print charge to the registrant.

Accordingly, the method makes it possible that the registrant provides aprint of an image relating to the digital contents to the purchaser.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information isreceived by the printer through a computer communication with theregistrant.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an identificationis issued for the purchaser by the registrant and received from thepurchaser by the printer.

Accordingly, the sales of the digital contents and the provision of aprint are separated.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes a step of registrant issuing a password to the purchaser andthird step is only effective when the password is input to the printer.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes a step of making the purchaser select any image from aplurality of images relating to the digital contents. It is convenientfor the purchaser.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the informationincludes an image data of a digital image, or information that specifiesthe image. Moreover, the specified image is an image recorded on a filmor a digital image. Furthermore, the registrant outputs the informationnecessary for delivering the print to the purchaser, which is input, tothe printer through the computer communication.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method furtherincludes a step of receiving information regarding a kind of therecording medium on which the digital contents purchased by thepurchaser are recorded, a step of selecting a paper for the print andcontents of the print other than the image based on the informationregarding the kind of the recording medium, and a step of printing thecontents of the print other than the image in a predetermined area ofthe paper.

Accordingly, the method makes it possible to provide a label and jacketsuitable for the recording medium on which the digital contents arerecorded together with a message to be showed to the purchaser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic construction of a systemfor receiving an order for digital print according to a first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a fundamental procedure of a methodaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a detail of step 10 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an input window for setting a password and the like.

FIG. 5 is an input window for inputting conditions to limit an order.

FIG. 6 is an input window for ordering a digital print.

FIG. 7 is an input window for ordering a digital print charging on aviewer's account when the order exceeds the limit.

FIG. 8 is an input window showing a transmitting button of FIG. 6substituted by a button charging on a registrant's account and a buttoncharging on a viewer's account.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method modified from the method of FIG.2.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart modified a portion of processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a system for selling digital contentsaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show widows for selecting a field of the contents andthe title of the contents, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a system for selling digital contentsaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a detailed construction of therecording device.

FIG. 15 shows a window for selecting a recording medium.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a system for selling digital contentsaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic constructionof a system for receiving an order for a digital print according to thepresent invention. A provider 1 is equipped with a server computer(hereinafter called a server) 10. The server 10 has a CPU 11, a memorydevice 12, an Internet connecting means 13 and an output interface(output I/F) 14 each connected with a bus-line. The server 10 isconnected with the Internet 6 via the Internet connecting means 13 andis able to communicate with an information apparatus such as a personalcomputer and the like located outside. Digital image data (image data)is stored in the memory device 12 and are output to a digital imageprinter (image printer) 5 via the output I/F 14. The CPU 11 controls theaforementioned components and carries out the aforementioned movements.

The image printer 5 produces a print (digital print) of the digitalimage based on the image data.

In the Internet 6, a personal computer (PC) 21 of an image registrant 2who registers digital images with the server 10 of the provider 1 viathe Internet is connected with a PC of a viewer who views the registereddigital images via the Internet. The viewer may be plural and, here, itis shown the example that the PC 31 of the viewer A (3) and the PC 41 ofthe viewer B (4) are connected.

The PC 21 of the image registrant 2 memorizes digital image data such asdigital image taken by a digital camera.

A flow chart showing a fundamental procedure of a method for receivingan order for print image according to a first example of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 2.

In step S10, the image registrant 2 registers the digital image datatogether with the album name and password with the server 10 of theprovider 1 via a communication means such as the Internet. On thatoccasion, the image registrant 2 is designated as the payer who pays theprint charge.

In step S20, the image registrant 2 notifies the viewers A and B of thealbum name and password.

In step S30, the viewer A and/or the viewer B (hereinafter called theviewer) access an image-viewing-request window of the digital printorder site set up by the provider 1 via the Internet, transmit the albumname and password notified by the registrant 2 to the server 10, andrequire the provider 1 to show the album. On that occasion, the way toreceive a completed print such as a home delivery service or a servicecounter where the print is received is designated. Moreover, e-mailaddress, facsimile number, and the like are notified to the provider 1.On the other hand, when the user registration is carried out in advance,the above-mentioned information is designated on that occasion. Theserver 10 memorizes the way to receive and the designated contents.

In step S40, the server 10 displays a series of reduced images of thedigital image correspondence with the transmitted album name andpassword on the viewer's PC.

In step S50, the viewer selects an image to be printed from the seriesof reduced images that is displayed on the viewer's PC, and places theprint order to the provider 1.

In step S60, the server 10 receives the print order accepted as an orderto be paid by the image registrant.

In step S70, the server 10 calculates the charge for the print that isaccepted as an order to be paid by the image registrant, and bills tothe payer designated in step S10, that is the image registrant.

In step S80, the server 10 transmits image data of the digital imageordered for digital print to the image printer 5, and makes the imageprinter 5 form a digital print of the digital image.

In step S90, the server 10 outputs a delivering data for delivering thedigital print to a person who ordered the digital print. When the way toreceive designated in step S30 is a home delivery service, the server 10makes a printer print out a home delivery slip. When the way to receiveis to receive on the service counter, an exchange order is transmittedto the viewer who ordered the digital print by means of e-mail orfacsimile.

By the way, the image registrant 2 may be the viewer at the same time.

Then, the steps requiring the further explanation are explained.

First, the detail of step S10 is explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.

In step S11, the registrant 2 accesses to a digital image registeringwindow of the digital print ordering site set up by the provider via theInternet.

Then, in step S12, the image data of the digital image stored in the PC21 is transmitted to the server 10 in accordance with an instruction ofthe digital image registering window displayed on the PC 21. The digitalimage registering window consists of the following plurality of pages: apage for designating the image data file by inputting the directory andfile name on the PC 21 in which the image data of the digital image tobe registered is stored; and a page for showing input spaces forinputting the album name attaching to the digital image to be registeredand the password permitting to view the registered digital image, and apayer selection space for designating a person who pays the charge forthe digital print of the registered digital image (FIG. 4). Informationfor these pages is also transmitted to the server. Here, for example,the image registrant is selected as the payer by clicking a “registrant”in the payer selection space with a mouse button. By the way, when a“viewer” is clicked, the viewer is designated as the payer. This is aconventional method for receiving an order for digital print.

In step S13, the server 10 discriminates whether the registrant is thepayer or not.

In step S14, when the registrant is the payer, an input window forinputting conditions to limit an order (FIG. 5) is displayed on the PC21.

In step S15, in the print order limit setting window, the imageregistrant 2 inputs limiting conditions such as a cumulative amount ofcost charged on the registrant's account, the cumulative number ofordering times, the cumulative number of prints and the time limit forthe order, and transmits to the server 10. Only indispensable itemsshould be input. The upper limits for the cumulative amount of cost, thecumulative number of ordering times, and the cumulative number of printscan be either the cumulative number of order from all viewers or thatfrom each viewer, or both. In FIG. 5, the print order limit settingwindow where both cases can be set is shown.

The print order limit setting window is for avoiding the risk that theprint order from the viewer is accepted without limitation, and all theprint cost becomes a charge to the image registrant. Although it is notnecessary to set print order limit when the viewer is closely connectedperson, the print order limit setting window that can limit the printorder paid by the registrant is provided otherwise.

In step S16, the server 10 stores and registers the transmitted digitalimage data, the album name, password, and limiting conditions to thememory device 12 in connection with the information whether theregistrant is designated to be payer or not.

In step S17, when the server 10 discriminates, in step S13, that theregistrant is not the payer, the viewer is registered to be the payer assame as the conventional method for receiving an order.

By the way, the registration of the digital image may be carried out bythe following procedure without using the image registering window ofthe provider 1: the image registrant forms the image registering file inwhich image data of the digital image to be registered, the album name,the password, and the information whether the registrant is designatedto be payer or not are recorded in accordance with the formatpredetermined by the provider 1; and transmits the image registeringfile to the server 10. Moreover, the registration may be carried out bythe procedure that the memory medium on which the registering file isrecorded is sent to the provider 1, and the provider 1 makes the server10 to read it.

When the print order limiting condition is set in step S15, it ispreferable to notify the print order limiting condition to the viewer instep S20.

Then, the detail of step S40 is explained. The server 10 searches thedigital images registered in the memory device 12 for the digital imagehaving the album name and password in correspondence with thetransmitted album name and password. Then, an image viewing window (FIG.6) including a list of reduced image of the searched digital image isdisplayed on the viewer's PC. Moreover, when one of the reduced imagesis clicked by the mouse, original image (enlarged image) of the reducedimage is displayed for confirming the image quality and detail of thedigital image and for appreciating the image.

Then, the detail of step S50 is explained. In FIG. 6, a print orderinstructing space 62 for instructing a digital print order of thecorrespondent digital image is attached in the vicinity of the reducedimage 61 displayed in the image viewing window 60. The requested sizeand number of print is written in the print order instructing space 62of the digital image to be ordered to print. Then, the order is carriedout by clicking the transmitting button 63 in the image viewing window60 by the mouse. By the way, the space denoted by 64 is an example ofthe print order limit setting window explained in step S15.

Then, the detail of step S60 is explained. When the server 10 receives aprint order charged on the image registrant's account, the amount ofthis order is added to the cumulative amount of order charged on theregistrant's account and the cumulative amount of order is renewed.Then, the renewed cumulative amount of order is compared with the upperlimit set in step S15. Whether the received date is before the timelimit or not is discriminated. This processing is carried out about allitems having an upper limit. The order is accepted as an order chargedon the registrant's account only when the limiting items are all withinthe limit.

When even one item exceeds the upper limit, the order is not accepted asan order charged on the registrant's account, and it is displayed on theviewer's PC. The display will be explained later in detail.

Then, the detail of step S70 is explained. The server 10 calculates acharge for the print based on the received order regarding the printsize and the number of print. Then, the server bills the credit cardcompany for the calculated print charge based on the credit cardinformation informed by the image registrant 2 in advance, transmits theimage data of the digital image received the order to the image printer5, and makes it form the digital print.

Alternatively, the server 10 transmits the bill for the calculated printcharge to the image registrant 2, and after confirming the reception ofthe print charge, the server transmits image data of the digital imagereceived the order to the image printer 5, and makes it form the digitalprint. The input of the reception of the print charge is carried out bythe provider's account server which receives the payment, for example,from the PC 21 of the image registrant 2 by means of electronic money orthe like, or by a computer of the proxy charge collector such as a bank,a convenience store, or the like.

Those described above are the fundamental procedure according to thefirst embodiment.

Incidentally, the display that the print order charged on theregistrant's account is not accepted in step S60 is preferably change toanother display that encourage the viewer to change the contents of theorder in order to be accepted as an order charged on the registrant'saccount such as to reduce the number of print. Moreover, it ispreferable to display that the exceeding portion of the order can beordered on condition that the print charge is charged on the viewer'saccount. This example is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, when the button“order on a viewer's account” 71 is clicked by the mouse, the exceedingportion of the number of print and amount of charge denoted by 72 areordered as an order charged on the viewer's account that is theconventional method.

Furthermore, in the image viewing window 60 in step S50, instead of thetransmission button 63, two kinds of buttons, thecharge-on-registrant's-account button and the charge-on-viewer's-accountbutton shown in FIG. 8, may be displayed in order that even the digitalimage charged on the registrant's account can dare to be ordered as anorder charged on the viewer's account. In this case, step S55 fordiscriminating whether the charge of the order is charged on theregistrant's account or on the viewer's account, and step S60A forreceiving the order as an order charging on the viewer's account areadded after step S50 (shown in FIG. 9). When the charge of the order ison the registrant's account, the flow proceeds to step S60, and when thecharge of the order is on the viewer's account, the flow proceeds tostep S60A. Step S70 is changed to a step that the server 10 bills to theprint charge payer (the registrant or the viewer) designated based onthe aforementioned discrimination.

Then, before step S80, it is inserted as step S75 that the server 10calculates the total number of print of each digital image as a totalprint processing data which is the addition of the number of print ordercharged on the registrant's account and that on the viewer's account. Instep S80, the server 10 transmits the total print processing data to theimage printer 5, and makes it produce the total number of digital printin a lump. Since the print order charged on the registrant's account andthat on the viewer's account can be processed in a lump, the digitalprint can be produced effectively.

Furthermore, when the time limit to accept order charged on theregistrant's account has come, the order charged on the registrant'saccount accepted before the time limit can be processed in a lumpaccording to step S70. Specifically, before step S70, step S65 fordiscriminating whether the time limit for accepting an order charged onthe registrant's account has come or not is inserted (as shown in FIG.9). When the time limit has not come yet, the flow goes back to stepS30, and step for accepting the print order is repeated. When the timelimit has come, the flow proceeds to step S70.

In this case, the processing to obtain the total number of print in stepS75 is the processing to form the total print processing data by addingthe number of print order charged on the registrant's account acceptedbefore the time limit and that on the viewer's account with each digitalimage when the order-on-viewer's-account button is not arranged as thetransmission button 63, the total print processing data is formed onlyfrom the number of print order charged on the registrant's account.

Accordingly, since the production of the digital print ordered from aplurality of viewers can be processed in a lump, the digital print canbe produced effectively.

The time limit for accepting an order charged on the registrant'saccount in step S10 is set to a limit coming periodically in apredetermined period such as the end of each month.

In the digital image that the image registrant 2 registers to the server10, there may be included the image whose print charge is paid by theregistrant and the image whose print charge is not paid by theregistrant as well, that is, paid only by the viewer. In order to copewith this case, an embodiment that in the above-described firstembodiment, the processing to register the digital image and theprocessing to view the digital image and to make order the digital printare partially modified is explained below.

Various information can be added to a digital image taken by a digitalcamera. The information can be added by a PC 21 on which the image isinput, or by a kind of digital camera.

First, a portion of processing in FIG. 3 is modified and the flow chartbecomes that shown in FIG. 10. That is, step S100 that the imageregistrant 2 attaches a predetermined information as a discriminationsymbol such as a flag and the like to the image whose print charge ispaid by the registrant is added before step S11 in FIG. 3. In step S11,the image registrant 2 accesses to the digital print ordering site. Instep S12, the digital image attached with the discrimination symbol,whose print charge is paid by the registrant, and the digital imagewithout the discrimination symbol, whose print charge is paid by theviewer, are transmitted together to the server 10.

In step S13, the server 10 discriminates whether the image attached withthe discrimination symbol is included or not. When the image attachedwith the discrimination symbol is included, the flow proceeds to stepS200. In step S200, a window for inputting a second password isdisplayed and the second password is input. Then, the following stepsS14 through S16 are carried out. In step S16, the second password isregistered in connection with other contents to be registered.

In step S13, when it is discriminated that the image attached with thediscrimination symbol is not included, the flow proceeds to step S17.

Second, in step S30 in FIG. 2, the second password is further input. Instep S40, when the second password is input in step S30, all registeredimages are displayed regardless of existence of the discriminationsymbol. On the other hand, when the second password is not input in stepS30, only the images without the discrimination symbol are displayed.Viewer who does not input the second password cannot view the imageswhose print charge is paid by the registrant, so that they cannot orderthe digital print.

Alternatively, in step S30 or S60 in FIG. 2, the second password isinput.

In step S60, the print order of the images whose print charge is paid bythe registrant is accepted only when the second password is input instep S30 or S50.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment is a method for receiving an order for a digitalprint removed the processing regarding password from all steps of thefirst embodiment. As a result, every viewer who accesses animage-viewing-request window of a digital print order site produced bythe provider 1 can view the registered digital image. The viewer canselect any digital image from the digital images registered in thememory device 12, and obtain the print of the digital image charged onthe registrant's account.

One application form of the second embodiment is such that, for example,the image registrant is a tour agent, the viewer is the tourparticipant, and the registered digital image is a digital imagephotographed a tourist during tour. The tour agent can provide to thetour participants, who are customers, a print of any pictures, which thetourist wants to obtain, from the pictures of the tour participantsphotographed during the tour.

By setting the print order limiting condition such as the maximum numberof print, the time limit of order, the upper limit of the charge can beset.

Another application form is such that the image registrant is a travelagent in a tourist resort, the viewer is a provisional tourist, and theregistered digital image is a digital image photographed a touristattraction or a scenic view of the tourist resort. The travel agent caneffectively advertise the tourist resort to the provisional tourist.

Moreover, another application form is such that the image registrant isa sales agent and particularly a sales agent for high-quality goods, theviewer is a provisional purchaser, and the registered digital image is adigital image photographed goods. The sales agent can effectivelyadvertise goods. It is quite suitable for goods having delicate coloringor ultra fine structure such as dyed goods and jewelry.

In the second embodiment, the time limit for accepting an order chargedon the registrant's account in step S10 is set to a time limit comingperiodically in a predetermined period such as the end of each month.

Moreover, processing for storing information regarding a viewer into thememory device 12 when the server 10 receives a print order is added tostep S60, and in a suitable position after step S60, for example afterstep S70, a step that the server 10 informs the image registrant 2 ofthe information with a predetermined period. The image registrant 2 caneasily obtain information about the viewer who has an interest in theregistered digital image.

In the method for receiving an order for digital print according to thepresent invention, since the viewer designates the image to be made adigital print, and the charge for the digital print bills to the imageregistrant, the viewer can obtain the digital print of the digitalimage, which the viewer wants to obtain, without any cost.

By applying the above-described method for receiving an order fordigital print whose print charge is paid by the image registrant, itbecomes possible to provide a high-quality label and jacket of arecording medium to the digital contents purchaser. In this case theregistrant of the image sells the digital contents. The system for thepurpose will be explained below.

Third Embodiment

A digital-contents-sales-system construction according to a thirdembodiment is shown in FIG. 11. The system consists of a data server 150of a contents sales part, a PC 160 of a contents purchaser, and an imageprinter 170 of a print provider. The data server 150, the PC 160 and theimage printer 170 are connected by means of the Internet, and are ableto give/receive information with each other.

The data server 150 includes a CPU 151, a memory 152, and aninput-output interface (I/F) 156, and connected with each other by abus-line. The memory 152 is a hard disk and stores a lot of digitalcontents 152A to be sold such as data for music, data for computer gamesoft, data for digital audio visual (AV), and the like. Moreover, A lotof digital image data 152B are stored in the memory 152 in connectionwith a field and title name of the digital contents by a registrant. Theregistrant sells the digital contents. With regard to one title, atleast one digital image in connection with the contents of the title isstored. The CPU 151 controls other components and makes them carry outmovements described below.

The PC 160 is an average personal computer (PC) equipped with a CPU 161,a memory 162, a recording device 163, a display 164, an operating part165 such as a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and an input-output I/F166. The recording device 163 includes the following various kinds ofrecording means corresponding with various kinds of recording media: abuilt-in recording means such as floppy disk drive, and the like; andvarious recording means 167 connected outside by the input-output I/F166 such as a DVD-R, a CD-R, a compact flush memory, a smart mediamemory, a magneto-optical disk, and an MD.

The image printer 70 consists of an input-output I/F for connected withthe Internet, a memory means for memorizing data input from theinput-output I/F, and a print means for forming an image print based onthe image data of the digital image memorized in the memory means. Theprint means includes an ink-jet type printer, a thermal sublimation typeprinter, a laser printer, and a printer for exposing and forming animage on a printing paper.

The contents purchaser records digital contents 152A stored in thememory means 152 of the data server 150 onto the recording medium set inthe recording device 163 of the PC 160 by following the proceduredescribed below and purchases. The contents purchaser accesses to thedigital contents sales site opened on the data server 150 from thecontents purchaser's PC 160 via the Internet. Then, a field of contents(such as music, game, or image) is selected from the field of contentsselection window (FIG. 12A) shown on the display 164, and, then, thetitle of the desired contents is selected in the title selection window(FIG. 12B). These selecting operation is carried out by clicking displayof the title or field of the contents by means of the mouse. By the way,several steps of selection windows can be set between FIGS. 12A and 12B.

Then, the contents purchaser carries out the process for paying thecontents charge following the instruction shown on the display 164 bythe data server 150. The payment is carried out, for example, bytransmitting credit card information to the data server 150, or byelectronic money.

The data server 150 permits to download the contents data of theselected title after confirming the payment of the charge. The contentspurchaser selects the recording means to record the contents data fromthe PC 160, and notifies the kind of recording medium used for recordingto the data server 150 via the PC 160. Then, the data of the selectedcontents are downloaded from the data server 150 onto the recordingmedium set in the selected recording means. Accordingly, the digitalcontents are sold from the contents sales part to the contentspurchaser.

When the download of the contents have been completed or while carryingout the download, the data server 150 makes the display 164 of the PC160 show at least one digital image in connection with the selectedcontents from the digital image data 152B stored in the memory means152, and makes the contents purchaser select one of the shown images.Then, the data server 150 transmits the image data of the selecteddigital image and the kind of recording medium, which is notified, tothe image printer 170 of the print provider via the Internet.

The image printer 170 memorizes the image of the transmitted image dataand the kind of recording medium on the memory means, and prints theimage of the memorized image data onto the selected paper in accordancewith the memorized kind of recording medium with the shape and size inaccordance with the memorized kind of recording medium. The selectedpaper in accordance with the memorized kind of recording medium means alabel sticking on the recording medium or on the container of therecording medium, or a paper for easily producing the jacket suitablefor the container. For example, it may be a paper which an adhesive isapplied on the back and a protection sheet is covered, or a paper onwhich stitch line is formed according to the predetermined shape andsize. The shape and size in accordance with the memorized kind ofrecording medium mean the shape and size of the label that are stuck onthe container or on the recording medium, and those of the jacket thatis suitable for the container. Accordingly, the label or jacket suitablefor the recording medium on which the data of the contents is recordedis produced. In the specification, hereinafter the label and the jacketis called generically as the label.

After the process for paying the contents charge, the data server 150shows the selection window for selecting the way to receive thecompleted label on the PC 160. The contents purchaser inputs the way toreceive the completed label and the necessary information for the way toreceive. For example, a home delivery service is selected as the way toreceive, and the delivering address is input. Alternatively, a servicecounter is selected as the way to receive, and the counter where thelabel is to be received is input. The reception information input to thePC 160 is transmitted to the data server 150, and further transmitted tothe image printer 170 together with the image data of the selecteddigital image.

The image printer 170 is equipped with a printer (not shown). When thereception information is the home delivery service, the image printer170 outputs the home delivery slip to the contents purchaser's PC 160.When the reception information is the reception on a service counter,the image printer 170 outputs the exchange order to the contentspurchaser's PC 160 and, at the same time, outputs the delivery slip tothe selected service counter where the label is to be received. Theprocess to hand over the completed label is carried out by using theoutput slip.

Thus, the contents purchaser can obtain the label that is adapted forthe recording medium on which the purchased contents are recorded andthat the image suitable for the contents is printed on.

Although the size of the label varies in accordance with the kind of therecording medium, the predetermined size of the paper on which the imageis printed is, for example, A4 or A3. Accordingly, a blank will existthe outside of the label. The contents sales part may transmit thepredetermined digital image or comment stored in the memory means 152 inadvance such as an advertisement to the image printer 170, and print iton the blank. The information such as the advertisement may be a contentregarding the print provider or the contents sales part, or anadvertisement from a third party. In the latter case, an advertising feecan be obtained from the contents sales part or the third party.

When the contents to be on sale are digital AV, the digital image inaccordance with the contents may be an image of one scene of the digitalAV, and the image printer 170 may produce a high quality card or posterprinted from the image with silver halide photographic quality.

It may possible that the digital image data 152B is stored in the memorymeans of the image printer 170, and the data server 150 receives thedata of the selected image. As a result, a large quantity of image dataneed not to be transmitted. Moreover, the image printer 170 may consistof an input I/F for receiving data from the data server 150, a printerfor forming a print of an image recorded on a photographic film, and aphotographic film on which the images that the contents purchaser canselect are recorded, so that the image printer 170 can form the printcorresponding with the selected image data received from the data server150.

Furthermore, the contents sales part may be the print provider.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 13 shows construction of digital contents sales system according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention. A contents sales apparatus110 is set in front of a store, and sells digital contents to a contentspurchaser. The contents sales apparatus 110 is equipped with a CPU 111,a memory means 112, a recording device 113, a display 114, an operatingpart 115, an input-output interface (I/F) 116, and the like, andconnected with each other by a bus-line. The memory means 112 is a harddisk which memorizes a lot of digital contents to be on sale such asdata for music, data for computer game soft, data for digital audiovisual (AV), and the like. The contents sales apparatus 110 is equippedwith plural kinds of recording means 131 through 137 as a recordingdevice 113 corresponding to various kind of recording media listed asthe recording device 163 in the third embodiment, and records thedigital data on the recording medium set in the selected recordingdevice by using one recording device selected from those recordingdevices. The display 114 equipping with a touch panel is used as aninput selection device cooperating with the display 114. The CPU 111controls movement of the above-described components, and makes themcarry out movements described below.

The contents sales apparatus 110 is equipped with a charge receptiondevice 117. The information of the charge reception is transmitted tothe CPU 111. An image printer 119 is connected with the input-output I/F116. The image printer is a digital image printer and may be in a bodywith the contents sales apparatus 110 or may be separated with it.

The contents purchaser makes the contents sales apparatus 110 show thefield and title of the contents to be on sale on the display 114, andselects the desired contents by operating the operating part 115. Thewindows for selecting the field and title of the contents are those suchas shown in FIG. 12A and 12B in the third embodiment. The kind of therecording medium on which the data of the contents is recorded isselected on the window for selecting recording medium shown in FIG. 15,and the recording medium of the kind is set to the correspondingrecording means in the recording device 113. In the selection in FIGS.14 and 15, the touch panel is used.

The selection of the recording medium can be abbreviated by equippingthe function that, in each recording device 131 through 137, whether therecording medium is set in the recording device or not is detected, andtransmits the information to the CPU 111.

The CPU 111 shows the charge for the selected contents to the display114, after confirming the payment by the charge reception device 117,picks out the selected contents from the various contents memorized inthe memory means, and records to the recording medium set in therecording device 113. Thus, the digital contents are sold to thecontents purchaser.

In the memory means 112, a lot of digital images are memorized inconnection with the field and title of the contents by a registrant. Theregistrant sells a digital contents. With regard to one title, at leastone digital image in connection with the contents of the title ismemorized.

When the recording of the contents data to the recording medium has beencompleted, or during the recording, the CPU 111 makes the display 114show at least one digital image in connection with the title of theselected contents, and makes the contents purchaser select one imageamong them. Then, the CPU 111 outputs the image data of the selecteddigital image and the kind of the recording medium on which the contentsdata is recorded to the image printer 119 via the input-output I/F. Theimage printer 119 forms the label and outputs it to the label exit assame as the first embodiment.

Since the amount of the data of the digital contents to be on sale andthe image data of the digital image in connection with that is enormous,all those data or a portion of the data can be memorized in the outsidedata server (not shown) connected with the contents sales apparatus 110via a communication means such as the Internet, and can be read out tothe contents sales apparatus 110 from the data server on responding tothe title selection of the contents purchaser.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 16 shows construction of digital contents sales system according toa fifth embodiment of the present invention. The construction in FIG. 16is the construction that a printer 118 is added to the contents salesapparatus 110 according to the fourth embodiment. The input-output I/Fcan be abbreviated. The memory means 112 memorizes only the data of thedigital contents. The image data of the digital image in connection withthe digital contents is memorized in the memory means 121 of the imagedata server 120 as an image database. The image printer 119 is connectedwith the image data server, and not with the contents sales apparatus110.

The contents purchaser records the contents data to the recording mediumin the same way as the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, when therecording of the contents data to the recording medium has beencompleted or during the recording, the CPU 111 makes the printer 118print out the password for permitting the access to the image databaseand the symbol showing the field and title of the contents of theselected and recorded on the recording medium, and makes the contentspurchaser bring it back. The CPU 111 may only show the password and thesymbol showing the field and title of the contents on the display 114without using the printer 118, and may make the contents purchaserrecord it. The password may be transmitted to the image data server viaa communication means.

Later, the contents purchaser connects to the image data server 120 fromthe home PC 130 via the Internet, and obtains the permission to accessthe image database by inputting the password. Then, the symbol showingthe field and title of the contents is input and transmitted to theimage data server 120. The image data server 120 compares the inputpassword with the password granted from the contents sales apparatus,and when the passwords coincide with each other, at least one digitalimage in connection with the contents according to the symbol is shownon the display of the PC 130, and makes the contents purchaser selectone from them.

Then, the image data server 120 makes the PC 130 show the window forselecting the way to receive the completed label, makes the contentspurchaser select it, and makes the contents purchaser input thenecessary information for the way to receive. When the home deliveryservice is selected, the image data server 120 outputs the home deliveryslip to the contents purchaser's PC 130. When the reception on a servicecounter is selected, the image data server 120 outputs the exchangeorder to the contents purchaser's PC 130 and, at the same time, outputsthe delivery slip to the selected service counter where the label is tobe received. The label is formed by using the selected digital image inthe same way as the fourth embodiment.

The founder of the image data server 120 and the image printer 190 maybe either the contents sales part or the print provider. When thefounder is the print provider, the image data server 120 forms the billfor forming the label and for delivering it to the contents purchaser,and charges the contents sales part.

The contents purchaser can easily obtain the label and jacket suitablefor the contents. The contents sales part can leave the formation of thelabel and jacket and the delivery to the print provider.

The forgoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for purpose of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described toprovide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and itspractical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the artto utilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the invention asdetermined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance withthe breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

1. A method of providing a print of an image registered by a registrantin relation to a product of digital contents to be sold by theregistrant and purchased by a purchaser comprising: a first step ofselling the product of digital contents to a purchaser; and a secondstep of outputting information relating to the image in relation to theproduct of digital contents sold to the purchaser through a computercommunication for the purpose of producing the print of the image forenabling the purchaser of the product of digital contents to use theprint of the image.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein thefirst step includes a step of copying the digital contents on arecording medium of the purchaser.
 3. The method according to claim 1,further comprising a step of making the purchaser select one of aplurality of images relating to the digital contents.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the information includes an image data ofthe digital image.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein theinformation includes information that specifies the image.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising a step of obtaining informationnecessary for delivering the print to the purchaser; and a step ofoutputting information for the delivery through a computercommunication.
 7. An apparatus for providing a print of an imageregistered by a registrant in relation to a product of digital contentsto be sold by the registrant and purchased by a purchaser comprising: acontents seller that sells the product of digital contents to apurchaser; a delivery information input for inputting an information fordelivery of the print of the image for the purchaser; and an informationoutput that outputs (i) an information of the image relating to theproduct of digital contents that was sold to the purchaser and (ii) theinformation for delivery of the print to the purchaser of the product ofdigital contents.